Fred Everett, born (by his own estimate) in 1919 died yesterday morning.

He was a great friend & mentor to our members at BASA. Our thoughts are with dear Aunty Sue.

He authored two books, "Heat, Thirst & Ivory" and "Tuskers in the Dust". Both he and Sue wrote many articles especially for Magnum magazine. His pen name was Ra Da Phiri, his original African name meaning "Father of the Hyenas"

He started his ivory hunting (poaching) career at just 13 years of age, and travelled the Bechuanaland, Rhodesia, Caprivi, Angolan and Mozambican countryside with his friend and mentor, a Matabele chieftain named Agatuwa. It is understandable that water was the most important resource in his life and his standard way of wishing you well was “May you always find good water”. He never took to western style religion, but held a firm belief in the holistic spiritual ethos of the Bushmen with whom he was intimate, and put his faith in “the Great Spirit”

Those interested in his books can check for them here:Tuskers in the Dust

I'm so sorry to hear of Fred's death. I had a chance to meet him a year ago, and it's an African moment I'll treasure.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...=539101588#539101588

Here's notes from our visit.

Our prayers are for Fred and Sue. Bob

Here is a picture of Fred in the same chair as in your picture Bob. He is holding a friend of mine's 9,3 x 62 Mauser, and talking to my son Christopher. It was April last year.

Fred has become something of a cult hero for my boy, having spent quite a few hours at BASA shoots and on this visit patiently talking to him. Christopher refuses to "trophy" the buck he has shot since "Uncle Fred" never ever had any trophies made!

I have lent my copy of Heat, Thirst & Ivory out, but upon it's return I will copy into this post the inscription Fred did in it for Christopher. At the time he said that a message for a "youngster" was far for important than one for a grown-up.....

Another hunting icon is gone. We seem to be losing about one a year. I hope they all find the "Happy Hunting Ground".

465H&H

I had the pleasure to meet and talk to him at the BASA shoots.

It will be very sad not to see him at the BASA shoots anymore. And like Stephen has said "May you always find good water".

May he rest in peace. Never met him but have read both his books which give a unique insight to a modern day ivory hunter's adventures...

I last saw Fred over a gracious ox-tail soup dinner prepared by Fiona Capstick in her home in Pretoria in 2002. He presented me an autographed copy of his "Heat, Thirst and Ivory," and then proceeded to give my 22-year-old granddaughter a lesson in the San Bushman language. I was amazed how he could make those clicking sounds, and how my granddaughter (a student of languages) soon was imitating him.

I did not know him well, but his passing will be mourned.

Bill Quimby

Here's a picture some years back at a BASA shoot

As promised above, here is the copy of Fred's inscription.



Incidentally, it was actually November not December!

Never knew, and honestly never heard of the man, but just in looking at a couple of the pics posted he seemed to me to be a giant. RIP, sir. I envy what you saw and experienced in the bush when you were young. May you walk the happy hunting grounds eternally.

KG

I am privileged to have an autographed copy of "Tuskers in the Dust" courtesy of BobC and PH Eduard Katzke. Fred and his family are in my thoughts and prayers!

Always to sad to hear when intelligent, passionate people who love this world and the experiences it can provide, pass away. RIP Fred.

All the better to know he believed in a form of Pantheism.